A man accused of molesting a younger male family member in Round Lake Beach in 1995 and 1996 unsuccessfully tried to withdraw his guilty plea at a hearing Monday. Charles Pashegoba, 45, of Chicago had pleaded guilty Aug. 21 to one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault.

A kitchen fire in an apartment caused an estimated $20,000 damage Monday morning. Fortunately, the resident of the apartment at 2271 Sheridan Road was awake and escaped because there were no operating smoke detectors present in the unit, according to Zion Fire & Rescue Department Battalion Chief Eric Troy.

The upcoming retirement of one associate judge is going to create some difficulties among the 19th Judicial Circuit judges, according to Chief Judge James Booras.

In an effort to increase community visibility, the Lake County Bar Association moved its headquarters from across the street from the courthouse to 300 Grand Ave., corner of Grand and County Street.

WAUKEGAN -- Police will begin a stepped-up holiday enforcement period Wednesday evening with saturation patrols designed to provide higher visibility and decrease traffic fatalities.

LAKE VILLA -- The village's tree lighting parade will be held Saturday with a new twist.

Rafael Rivera III left behind a world of friends when he died after an asthma attack in 2002 at the age of 26. Many of those friends continue to pay him tribute every warm, first Wednesday in August when they gather for a golf outing in Waukegan to raise money to fight the disease that killed him.

WAUKEGAN -- A stretch of Jackson Street between Golf and Dugdale roads has been scheduled for resurfacing, though the city has yet to assign specific funding for its share of the $1 million project.

The Illinois Tollway will suspend temporary lane closures for construction over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from noon Wednesday until 9 a.m. Monday.

A dreary Monday in Waukegan provided the backdrop for the National Day of Outrage initiative that brings attention to the epidemic of violence plaguing urban communities. "This is something that we have been talking about for a long time," said Chris "Brotha" Blanks, a member of the Black Abolition Movement for the Mind and the National Action Network of Lake County.

VETERAN OF THE MONTH: State Rep. Eddie Washington, D-Waukegan, will sponsor a Veteran of the Month Contest. "I spent part of Veterans Day with the guys at the Waukegan VFW and after listening to their stories I felt inspired to show my appreciation and admiration for these everyday heroes," said Washington. He will be collecting applications for his Veteran of the Month Contest until Dec. 1 and a winner will be selected by an independent committee and announced in December. The selected veteran will be honored through a House resolution in January, when Washington returns to Springfield for the remainder of the 96th General Assembly. For more information, or for an application, call (847) 623-0060. Applications can be mailed to Washington's 60th District Office, ATTN: Veteran of the Month Contest, 141 S. Genesee St., Suite A, Waukegan, IL. 60085 or faxed to (847) 623-6078, ATTN: Veteran of the Month Contest.

If they are not giving away turkeys or gift certificates, Central Auto Body in Zion always has something in store for customers around the holiday season.

Where can you find a Christmas tree decorating contest, raffle and a visit from Santa? Sheridan Health and Rehab Center in Zion is a good place to start. On Dec. 3, the center will host a Family Night involving the community and residents of the 250-bed rehabilitation facility.

Not only will Marathon A&S owner Sam Mubak treat customers to a free cup of coffee, but he also will create a way to make those auto repair costs a little bit more manageable.

A longtime Zion eatery will be serving up a hearty Thanksgiving feast.

With interest rates low and the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers, plus the mild weather, 'tis the time to go house hunting.